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Merchant Marine Job Description

What does a Merchant Marine do?

A Merchant Marine is responsible for operating and maintaining commercial ships that transport cargo and people across oceans and waterways. They work long hours at sea, navigating vessels through adverse weather conditions and ensuring that they comply with international shipping regulations. This involves managing a crew, communicating effectively with other vessels, and carrying out repairs and maintenance tasks. A Merchant Marine must also maintain detailed records of cargo movements and ensure that all safety protocols are followed, including emergency drills and procedures.

Our Merchant Marine job description includes the Merchant Marine responsibilities, duties, skills, education, qualifications, and experience.

Merchant Marine Example


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If you need an example job description for a Merchant Marine download the one below, alternatively we have many other Transportation and Logistics job description samples and a job description library with over 3000 job descriptions templates that you can download for free.

What does a Merchant Marine do?

A Merchant Marine is a professional mariner who is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of a commercial vessel or other marine vessel. They must be able to navigate a wide variety of vessels, from small boats and barges to large cargo ships, tankers, and passenger ships. Merchant Marines are also responsible for the loading and unloading of cargo, maintenance of the vessel and its equipment, and ensuring compliance with all relevant safety regulations. They must also be able to respond to any emergency situation, such as a fire or medical emergency, and coordinate with other crew members to ensure the safe operation of the vessel.

Merchant Marine Role Purpose

The purpose of a Merchant Marine job role is to transport goods and passengers by sea, often between different countries. They are responsible for the safe operation of their vessels, ensuring that cargo is securely loaded and unloaded, and that the ships comply with national and international regulations. Merchant Marines also provide customer service to passengers on board their vessels, and may be involved in providing assistance to other ships in distress.

Merchant Marine Role

Merchant mariners work on ships and other vessels, transporting goods and passengers across oceans and other bodies of water. They are responsible for the maintenance of the vessel, the navigation of the ship and the safety of the crew and cargo.

Merchant Marine Duties

  • Navigate ships, oversee cargo operations and maintenance, manage crew, and ensure safety compliance
  • Carry out navigational duties, such as plotting courses, estimating voyage duration and costs, and monitoring progress of voyage
  • Check cargo loading and unloading operations, and ensure cargo is stowed correctly and securely
  • Supervise and coordinate activities of crew members, including assigning work duties and inspecting work performance
  • Ensure compliance with safety regulations
  • Maintain records of voyages, crew members, cargo operations, and other activities

Merchant Marine Requirements

  • Good communication skills
  • Knowledge of maritime regulations
  • Ability to work under pressure

Merchant Marine Skills

  • Leadership
  • Navigation
  • Mechanical Maintenance
  • Logistics
  • Safety Regulations

Merchant Marine Personal Traits

  • adaptability
  • good communication skills
  • able to work independently

How to write a Merchant Marine Job Advert

Use our job advert template to write a job advert for posting on job sites and job boards. Our job advertising templates are carefully created to help you reach your audience and beat the competition to the best talent.

A job description informs the reader about a job, whereas a job advert’s main objective is to sell the job opportunity to attract as many suitable applicants possible. A job advert maybe the first touch-point a candidate has with your company so it is important to create a great impression.

Job Advertisements should enticing, so considering using short, exciting language which get the reader’s attention.

How to write a Merchant Marine Job Description

To write a job description, we recommend starting with a job description template from our job description library, which contains examples for 800+ positions and professions. Our job description examples include a job summary with duties and responsibilities and skills and requirements, which can be personalised for your job vacancy.

Job Description Advice - Guidance on How to Personalise a Merchant Marine Job Specification

The hiring process and recruiting new employees to fill your key roles requires a degree of personalisation if you are to attract the best employees in a competitive employment market. The right person for a crucial role or more senior roles will likely have other employers targeting them. As your job description will be the first point of contact, you need to nail your pitch and provide the best possible service.

Job Description Tips - Help on formatting a Merchant Marine Job Specification

When creating your bespoke description and advert, you should cover and promote these points:

Job title: This should accurately reflect the role and include keywords that top talent might be using to search for jobs.

Job duties: The day to day duties, such as administrative tasks, which vary depending on the company and inform the candidate if they can complete the role.

Technical skills: These are the hard skills required through training, such as proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Soft skills: These include the interpersonal skills and general abilities the right candidates will possess. For example, the competency to prioritise multiple tasks, handle customer queries and customer complaints, work alone, or build a good relationship with coworkers.

The company's culture: Highlighting your company culture and values ensures employees thrive and find outstanding job satisfaction. Candidates that are not the right fit won’t waste their time completing the application process, meaning you can focus on qualified individuals and hire in a more timely manner.

Career progression: Including the career path will entice candidates looking for career growth. 

Training and development programs: Smaller companies may need employees with previous experience or provide educational assistance over internal training offered by larger organisations with more significant resources. 

Employee benefits: Compensation and benefits often fail to appear in job ads and while you may want to hold your cards close to your chest, failing to include them is a mistake. Consider answering common questions, such as working hours and paid leave. Researching the average salary for the role in these early stages will ensure you don’t waste your interviewer’s and the candidate’s time.

Skill gaps: Your company may need to bring in new skills beyond those required to complete the key role and duties. Thinking on an organisational level can be beneficial when contemplating skills diversity.

Legal requirements: Ensure your job advert and description does not ask for inappropriate or discriminatory personal details, such as age, marital status, or religion.

How to Hire a Merchant Marine

Once you have selected your Job Description download it or convert it to a Job Advert. From here you can post/advertise your job across our network of job boards. If you wish to use the job description for a CV Template click through for advice and Convert to a CV

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